User apparatus and uplink control information bit width determination method

ABSTRACT

A user apparatus that perform communication with a base station in a mobile communication system is disclosed. The user apparatus includes a transmitter that transmits capability information of the user apparatus to a base station, a receiver that receives configuration information from the base station, and a processor that determines a bit width of a rank indicator based on a maximum number of Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) layers. Further, the configuration information received from the base station includes a parameter indicating a transmission mode and the maximum number of MIMO layers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation application and, thereby,claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. application Ser. No.15/567,715, filed on Oct. 19, 2017, titled, “USER APPARATUS AND UPLINKCONTROL INFORMATION BIT WIDTH DETERMINATION METHOD,” which is a U.S.National Stage Application of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2016/068728,filed on Jun. 23, 2016, which claims priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2015-129326, filed on Jun. 26, 2015. The contents of thepriority applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a user apparatus and a base station ina mobile communication system that supports spatial multiplexing.

BACKGROUND ART

In an LTE (including LTE-Advanced) system, UE categories on capabilityof the user apparatus UE are defined, and requirements that should besupported are defined for each UE category. For example, the totalnumber of soft channel bits, and the number of supported Multiple-InputMultiple-Output (MIMO) layers and the like are defined for each UEcategory (non-patent document 1).

Also, in LTE, it is defined that the user apparatus UE reports a UEcategory of the user apparatus UE itself to the base station eNB by apredetermined message “UE-EUTRA-Capability” (non-patent document 2).

In release 8 (Rel-8, hereinafter) of 3GPP, a field for reporting UEcategories 1-5 is defined in the message of UE-EUTRA-Capability. Fromrelease 10 (Rel-10, hereinafter), values of UE category 6 and after 6are additionally defined, so that a field for reporting that is defined.More specifically, for example, in an information element (IE) ofUE-EUTRA-Capability shown in FIG. 1, a field for reporting UE categories1-5 and a field for reporting UE categories 6-8 are defined as indicatedby underlines.

Also, in LTE, various Transmission Modes (transmission modes, describedas TM hereinafter) that determines a transmission scheme of data (PDSCH)from the base station eNB to the user apparatus UE are defined, so thatthe user apparatus UE performs data reception operation according to theTM configured from the base station eNB (non-patent document 3). Forexample, TM3 indicates open loop spatial multiplexing and TM4 indicatesclosed loop spatial multiplexing. Feedback of an RI (rank number) fromthe user apparatus UE to the base station eNB is necessary for both ofthem.

Also, in the user apparatus UE and the base station eNB of LTE, in anHARQ entity of an MAC (Media Access Control) layer, HARQ (Hybrid ARQ)control is performed. For example, in HARQ control for downlink data inthe user apparatus UE, when decoding of downlink data (TB: transportblock) succeeds, the user apparatus UE returns ACK to the base stationeNB. When decoding fails, the user apparatus UE returns NACK to the basestation eNB. Accordingly, in HARQ, retransmission control is performedby transmitting ACK/NACK. In HARQ, when the user apparatus UE fails indecoding of received data (when data is erroneous), the user apparatusUE holds the data, combines data retransmitted from the base station eNBand the held data, and decodes the combined data. Accordingly, strongtolerance against errors is provided. A storage unit for holding thedata (memory area) is called a soft buffer.

RELATED ART DOCUMENT Non Patent Document

-   [NON PATENT DOCUMENT 1] 3GPP TS 36.306 V12.4.0 (2015-03)-   [NON PATENT DOCUMENT 2] 3GPP TS 36.331 V12.5.0 (2015-03)-   [NON PATENT DOCUMENT 3] 3GPP TS 36.213 V12.5.0 (2015-03)-   [NON PATENT DOCUMENT 4] 3GPP TS 36.212 V12.4.0 (2015-03)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

The user apparatus UE of a UE category on or after category 6 introducedin Rel-10 can perform 4 layer (4×4MIMO) reception by being configuredwith TM3, TM4, TM9, TM10 and the like. However, in the UE category on orafter UE category 6, it is assumed that TM9 or TM10 are used instead ofTM3 or TM4 (TM3/4 hereinafter). Therefore, in 4 layer reception byTM3/4, there is a limitation in determining a soft buffer size asdescribed below.

That is, in “5.1.4.1.2 Bit collection, selection and transmission” ofnon-patent document 4 which is a conventional specification, adetermination method of N_(soft) (the total number of soft channel bitsof UE (=total soft buffer size)) that is used for calculating a softbuffer size (N_(IR)) per 1 TB is defined as “if the UE signalsue-Category-v1020, and is configured with transmission mode 9 ortransmission mode 10 for the DL cell, N_(soft) is the total number ofsoft channel bits [4] according to the UE category indicated byue-Category-v1020 [6]. Otherwise, N_(soft) is the total number of softchannel bits [4] according to the UE category indicated by ue-Category(without suffix) [6].”.

As described above, the total number of soft channel bits correspondingto the UE category (ue-Category-v1020) of Rel-10 is referred to whenTM9/10 is configured. On the other hand, when TM3/4 is configured, evenif the UE category (ue-Category-v1020) of Rel-10 is reported, the“Otherwise” is applied, so that the user apparatus UE refers to thetotal number of soft channel bits corresponding to the ue-Category ofRel-8. In the conventional specification, the user apparatus UEsupporting category 6/7 reports the category 6/7 by a parameter ofRel-10, and reports category 4 by a parameter of Rel-8.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the above-mentioned situation with a table ofthe UE category described in non-patent document 1.

For example, if the user apparatus UE supporting category 6 isconfigured with TM9, the user apparatus UE refers to the total number ofsoft channel bits corresponding to category 6 as N_(soft), but, if theuser apparatus UE is configured with TM3/4, the user apparatus UE refersto the total number of soft channel bits corresponding to category 4 asN_(soft) as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, since the total numberof soft channel bits corresponding to category 4 is half of the totalnumber of soft channel bits corresponding to category 6, there is apossibility that quality deteriorates in a communication environmentwhere HARQ retransmission occurs.

Also, as described above, feedback of an RI is necessary in TM3/4.However, in the conventional technique, there is a problem in that thereis a case where an RI bit width (bit length) used for reporting of an RIcannot be properly determined if TM3/4 is configured.

That is, in “5.2.2.6 Channel coding of control information” ofnon-patent document 4, it is described that a bit width used for RIfeedback is determined from a table such as 5.2.2.6.1-2, and also, it isdescribed that, the maximum number of layers used when referring to thetable (the maximum number of DL MIMO layers that the UE supports) isdetermined based on a value such as “supportedMIMO-CapabilityDL-r10field”.

However, it is defined to apply, if TM3/4 is configured, “Otherwise themaximum number of layers is determined according to the minimum of thenumber of PBCH antenna ports and ue-Category (without suffix)”.Therefore, when the user apparatus UE is configured with TM3/4, thenumber of layers (which is “2” from FIG. 2) corresponding to category 4is used as the maximum number of layers even if the UE supports category6/7. Therefore, the RI bit width becomes 1 bit at the maximum. When theRI bit width is 1, only 1 or 2 can be reported as an RI (Rank).Therefore, there occurs a problem in that, even if the use apparatus UEhas capability for performing 4 layer spatial multiplexing, since RI=4cannot be reported, 4 layer spatial multiplexing cannot be performed.

The above-mentioned problem on RI is not a problem limited RI, and is aproblem that may occur for other uplink control information (UCI).

The present invention is especially contrived in view of the problem onthe RI in the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the presentinvention is to provide a technique for enabling a user apparatus toproperly determine a bit width of uplink control information in a mobilecommunication system including the user apparatus and a base station.

Means for Solving the Problem

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided auser apparatus configured to perform communication with a base stationin a mobile communication system that supports downlink spatialmultiplexing, including:

transmission means configured to transmit capability information of theuser apparatus to the base station;

reception means configured to receive a parameter indicating atransmission mode from the base station;

bit width determination means configured, if the parameter is apredetermined parameter corresponding to the downlink spatialmultiplexing and if the capability information includes the number ofMIMO layers for the transmission mode, to determine a bit width fortransmitting uplink control information based on the number of MIMOlayers.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided auser apparatus configured to perform communication with a base stationin a mobile communication system that supports downlink spatialmultiplexing, including:

transmission means configured to transmit capability information of theuser apparatus to the base station;

reception means configured to receive configuration information from thebase station;

bit width determination means configured, if a parameter indicating atransmission mode corresponding to the downlink spatial multiplexing andpredetermined additional information are received as the configurationinformation and if the capability information includes the number ofMIMO layers for the transmission mode, to determine a bit width fortransmitting uplink control information based on the number of MIMOlayers.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided auser apparatus configured to perform communication with a base stationin a mobile communication system that supports downlink spatialmultiplexing, including:

transmission means configured to transmit capability information of theuser apparatus to the base station;

reception means configured to receive configuration information from thebase station;

bit width determination means configured, if a parameter indicating atransmission mode corresponding to the downlink spatial multiplexing andpredetermined additional information are received as the configurationinformation and if the capability information includes the number ofMIMO layers for the transmission mode, to determine a bit width fortransmitting uplink control information based on the predeterminedadditional information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is providedan uplink control information bit width determination method executed bya user apparatus configured to perform communication with a base stationin a mobile communication system that supports downlink spatialmultiplexing, including:

a transmission step of transmitting capability information of the userapparatus to the base station;

a reception step of receiving a parameter indicating a transmission modefrom the base station;

a bit width determination step of, if the parameter is a predeterminedparameter corresponding to the downlink spatial multiplexing and if thecapability information includes the number of MIMO layers for thetransmission mode, determining a bit width for transmitting uplinkcontrol information based on the number of MIMO layers.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided auser apparatus configured to perform communication with a base stationin a mobile communication system that supports downlink spatialmultiplexing, including:

transmission means configured to transmit capability information of theuser apparatus to the base station;

reception means configured to receive configuration information from thebase station;

bit width determination means configured, if a parameter indicating atransmission mode corresponding to the downlink spatial multiplexing andpredetermined additional information are received as the configurationinformation, to determine a bit width of a rank indicator based on thepredetermined additional information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is providedan uplink control information bit width determination method executed bya user apparatus configured to perform communication with a base stationin a mobile communication system that supports downlink spatialmultiplexing, including:

a transmission step of transmitting capability information of the userapparatus to the base station;

a reception step of receiving configuration information from the basestation;

a bit width determination step of, if a parameter indicating atransmission mode corresponding to the downlink spatial multiplexing andpredetermined additional information are received as the configurationinformation and if the capability information includes the number ofMIMO layers for the transmission mode, determining a bit width fortransmitting uplink control information based on the number of MIMOlayers.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is providedan uplink control information bit width determination method executed bya user apparatus configured to perform communication with a base stationin a mobile communication system that supports downlink spatialmultiplexing, including:

a transmission step of transmitting capability information of the userapparatus to the base station;

a reception step of receiving configuration information from the basestation;

a bit width determination step of, if a parameter indicating atransmission mode corresponding to the downlink spatial multiplexing andpredetermined additional information are received as the configurationinformation and if the capability information includes the number ofMIMO layers for the transmission mode, determining a bit width fortransmitting uplink control information based on the predeterminedadditional information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is providedan uplink control information bit width determination method executed bya user apparatus configured to perform communication with a base stationin a mobile communication system that supports downlink spatialmultiplexing, including:

a transmission step of transmitting capability information of the userapparatus to the base station;

a reception step of receiving configuration information from the basestation;

a bit width determination step of, if a parameter indicating atransmission mode corresponding to the downlink spatial multiplexing andpredetermined additional information are received as the configurationinformation, determining a bit width of a rank indicator based on thepredetermined additional information.

Effect of the Present Invention

It becomes possible that a user apparatus properly determines a bitwidth of uplink control information in a mobile communication systemincluding the user apparatus and a base station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a part of information elements ofUE-EUTRA-Capability;

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a problem;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a communication system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a basic operation example of a communicationsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a soft buffer size determinationmethod of the user apparatus UE in an operation example 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a change example of a standard specificationin the operation example 1;

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 1;

FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an RI bit width determination methodof the user apparatus UE in the operation example 1;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an RI bit width;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 1;

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 1;

FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 1;

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a soft buffer size determinationmethod of the user apparatus UE in an operation example 2;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 2;

FIG. 14A is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 2;

FIG. 14B is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 2;

FIG. 14C is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 2;

FIG. 15A is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 2;

FIG. 15B is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 2;

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an RI bit width determination methodof the user apparatus UE in the operation example 2;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 2;

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a soft buffer size determinationmethod of the user apparatus UE in an operation example 3;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 3;

FIG. 20A is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 3;

FIG. 20B is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 3;

FIG. 20C is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 3;

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining an RI bit width determination methodof the user apparatus UE in the operation example 3;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 3;

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a soft buffer size determinationmethod of the user apparatus UE in an operation example 4;

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 4;

FIG. 25A is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 4;

FIG. 25B is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 4;

FIG. 25C is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 4;

FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining an RI bit width determination methodof the user apparatus UE in the operation example 4;

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a change example of a standardspecification in the operation example 4;

FIG. 28 is a block diagram of the user apparatus UE;

FIG. 29 is a block diagram of the base station eNB;

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration ofthe base station eNB and the user apparatus UE.

EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, an embodiment of the present invention is describedwith reference to figures. The embodiment described below is merely anexample, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied isnot limited to the embodiment below. For example, although it is assumedthat the communication system of the present embodiment supports LTEincluding LTE-Advanced, the present invention can be applied not only toLTE but also to other schemes performing spatial multiplexing based onMIMO technology.

Also, CA (carrier aggregation) in the present embodiment includes notonly Intra-eNB CA but also Inter-eNB CA such as DC (Dual connectivity).In the present embodiment, “CC” and “cell” can be considered to besynonymous basically, so that “CC” may be called “cell” (serving cell,more specifically).

(System Whole Configuration, Operation Outline)

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a communication system in an embodimentof the present invention. The communication system of the presentembodiment is a communication system of the LTE scheme, and includes auser apparatus UE and a base station eNB as shown in FIG. 3. The userapparatus UE and the base station eNB can perform spatial multiplexingcommunication such as 2×2 MIMO, 4×4 MIMO and the like, and CA. The basestation eNB can form a plurality of cells by itself, and also can form aplurality of cells, by remotely connecting an RRE (remote radioequipment) for example, by the main body of the base station eNB and theRRE. Although FIG. 3 shows one user apparatus UE and one base stationeNB, this is an example, and a plurality of user apparatuses UE and aplurality of base stations eNB may be provided. Also, the user apparatusUE may be provided with capability (Dual connectivity) for performingcommunication with a plurality of base stations eNB simultaneously.

When CA is performed, a PCell (Primary cell) that is a reliable cell forensuring connectivity and an SCell (Secondary cell) that is an appendantcell are set for the user apparatus UE. The user apparatus UE connectsto a PCell first, and then, an SCell can be added as necessary. ThePCell is a cell similar to an independent cell for supporting RLM (RadioLink Monitoring) and SPS (Semi-Persistent Scheduling) and the like.Addition and deletion of the SCell is performed by RRC (Radio ResourceControl) signaling. Since an SCell is in a deactivated state right afterit is set in the user apparatus UE, communication becomes available(scheduling becomes available) only by activating it.

When performing Dual connectivity, the user apparatus UE performscommunication simultaneously using radio resources of two physicallydifferent base stations eNB. Dual connectivity is a kind of CA, and itis also referred to as Inter eNB CA (inter base station carrieraggregation), in which Master-eNB (MeNB) and Secondary-eNB (SeNB) areintroduced. In DC, a cell group formed by cell(s) (one or a plurality ofcells) under an MeNB is called MCG (Master Cell Group), and a cell groupformed by cell(s) (one or a plurality of cells) under an SeNB is calledSCG (Secondary Cell Group). An UL CC is set in at least one SCell in anSCG, and PUCCH is set in one of the SCells. The SCell is called PSCell(primary SCell).

As a basic operation in the present embodiment, there are notificationof UE capability information (UE capability) for notifying the basestation of capability of the user apparatus UE from the user apparatusUE, and notification of RRCConnectionReconfiguration for notifying theuser apparatus UE of various configuration information (configuration)on RRC connection and the like from the base station eNB. Thesenotification operation examples are described with reference to FIG. 4.As shown in FIG. 4, the user apparatus UE receives UE capabilityinformation request (UE capability enquiry) transmitted from the basestation eNB in step S101. The user apparatus UE transmits UE capabilityinformation (UE capability information) to the base station eNB based onthe UE capability information request (step S102). The UE capabilityinformation of the present embodiment includes a UE category, the(maximum) number of downlink MIMO layers supported for each CC.

In step S103, RRCConnectionReconfiguration is notified from the basestation eNB to the user apparatus UE. The user apparatus UE thatreceives RRCConnectionReconfiguration performs setting (storing) ofvarious notified configurations, and transmitsRRCConnectionReconfigurationComplete to the base station eNB in stepS104. The RRCConnectionReconfiguration includes a parameter and the likeof a transmission mode (TM).

Also, as basic operation of the user apparatus UE, there is transmissionof uplink control information (UCI, hereinafter). As the UCI, there areACK/NACK (hybrid ARQ transmittal confirmation), scheduling request, andchannel state information (CSI, hereinafter) and the like. As the CSI,there are CQI, PMI, RI and the like. The present embodiment especiallyfocuses on transmission of an RI in the CSI. However, the technique ofthe present embodiment can be also applied to UCI other than the RI.

As for CSI reporting, there are periodic reporting and aperiodicreporting. For the periodic reporting, a PUCCH is normally used.However, when there is data transmission by a PUSCH at a periodicreporting timing, there is a case where the PUSCH is used. Also,aperiodic reporting is performed by a PUSCH based on a request from ascheduling grant from the base station eNB.

The target of CSI reporting is for each downlink CC (cell). For example,in downlink CA including a downlink CC1 and a downlink CC2, the userapparatus UE obtains an RI1 by measurement of a reference signal(example: CSI-RS) that is received in the downlink CC1 and reports theRI1 to the base station eNB as an RI for the CC1, and the user apparatusUE obtains an RI2 by measurement of a CSI-RS that is received in thedownlink CC2 and reports the RI2 to the base station eNB as an RI forthe CC2.

In the following, an operation example 1, an operation example 2, anoperation example 3, and an operation example 4 in the presentembodiment are described in detail.

Operation Example 1

As described before, in the conventional technique, in the case wherethe user apparatus UE is configured with TM3/4 (TM3 or TM4), the userapparatus UE uses a soft buffer size of category 4 even though the userapparatus UE has capability of 4 layer reception. Thus, there is aproblem in that quality may be deteriorated in an environment where HARQretransmission occurs.

Therefore, in the operation example 1, a new TM is newly introduced as aparameter to enable proper determination of a soft buffer size accordingto the parameter. In the operation example 1, parameters of the new TMare tm3-rank4-v12xy corresponding to TM3 and tm4-rank4-v12xycorresponding to TM4.

Also, the new TM is a TM that enables to properly execute MIMOcommunication of up to rank 4, this can be referred to as a TM for“TM3/4 up to rank4”.

Operation of the user apparatus UE on determination of a soft buffersize when using the new TM is described with reference to FIG. 5.

In step S301, the user apparatus UE transmits, to the base station eNB,a UE capability including a UE category and the number of supporteddownlink MIMO layers. In step S302, the user apparatus UE receives a TM(included in RRCConnectionReconfiguration) from the base station eNB.The base station eNB has determined the TM to be configured in the userapparatus UE based on the UE category, the number of downlink MIMOlayers and the like received in step S301.

In step S303, the user apparatus UE determines whether the UE categoryof the user apparatus UE itself is on or after UE category 6 and theuser apparatus UE has received (configured) tm3/4-rank4-v12xy which isthe new TM.

When the determination result of step S303 is Yes, the user apparatus UEcalculates a soft buffer size (N_(IR)) by using the total number of softchannel bits (N_(soft)) corresponding to the UE category of the userapparatus UE (category on or after category 6) (step S304). When thedetermination result in step S303 is No, the user apparatus UEcalculates a soft buffer size according to an existing rule (non-patentdocument 4, and the like) (step S305).

The user apparatus UE executes data reception processing such as HARQcontrol using a soft buffer of the soft buffer size calculated in theabove-mentioned way.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a change example (excerpt) of a standardspecification in the operation example 1. FIG. 6 shows a change exampleof the non-patent document 4 (3GPP TS 36.212). Parts related to thechange are underlined. In FIG. 6, as described as “if the UE signalsue-Category-v1020, and is configured with transmission mode 9,transmission mode 10, transmission mode 3 up to rank 4 or transmissionmode 4 up to rank 4 for the DL cell, N_(soft) is the total number ofsoft channel bits [4] according to the UE category indicated byue-Category-v1020 [6].”, in the operation example 1, if the UE userapparatus is configured with the TM3/4 for up to rank4 for a downlinkcell (serving cell), the user apparatus UE calculates a soft buffer sizeusing the total number of soft channel bits corresponding to the UEcategory indicated by ue-Category-v1020 (that is, a UE category on orafter UE category 6).

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a change example of the non-patent document 2 (3GPPTS 36.331) in the operation example 1. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, theabove-mentioned tm3-rank4-v12xy and tm4-rank4-v12xy are added.

As described before, in the conventional technique, in the case wherethe user apparatus UE is configured with TM3/4 (TM3 or TM4), even whenthe user apparatus UE has capability for performing 4 layer reception, acase occurs where the user apparatus UE cannot notify of a value of anRI corresponding to the capability of the user apparatus UE itself.

In the operation example 1, as described above, a new TM is introduced,and further, the number of MIMO layers supported for TM3/4 up to rank4is introduced as information of the UE capability, so that the userapparatus UE can properly notify of a value of an RI.

Operation on determination of an RI bit width of the user apparatus UEis described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 8.

Steps S401 and S402 are the same as steps S301 and S302 in FIG. 5.

In step S403, the user apparatus UE determines whether the userapparatus UE has notified of the number of downlink MIMO layers forTM3/4 up to rank4 by including it in the UE capability and the userapparatus UE has received (configured) tm3/4-rank4-v12xy. Notifying ofthe number of MIMO layers for TM3/4 up to rank4 as the UE capabilitymeans that the user apparatus UE supports MIMO communication for TM3/4up to rank4.

When the determination result in step S403 is Yes, the user apparatus UEdetermines an RI bit width using, as the maximum number of layers, theminimum value of the number of antenna ports of PBCH and the notifiednumber of MIMO layers (step S404). Here, the number of antenna ports ofPBCH is a value that can be calculated based on MIB that the userapparatus UE receives from the base station eNB. For example, assumingthat the number of antenna ports of PBCH is 4 and the notified number ofMIMO layers is 2, the maximum number of layers is 2, so that the RI bitwidth is determined from this 2. The RI bit width is determined from apredetermined table (example: FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 9, when themaximum number of layers is 2, the bit width is determined as 1.

When the determination result in step S403 is No, the user apparatus UEdetermines the RI bit width according to an existing rule (non-patentdocument 4 and the like) (step S405).

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a change example (excerpt) of a standardspecification in the operation example 1. FIG. 10 shows a change exampleof the non-patent document 4 (3GPP TS 36.212). Parts related to thechange are underlined. In FIG. 10, as described as “If the UE isconfigured with transmission mode 3 or 4 up to Rank4 operation, and thesupportedMIMO-TM3 (or 4)-CapabilityDL-r12 field is included in theUE-EUTRA-Capability, the maximum number is determined according to theminimum of the number of PBCH antenna ports and the reported UE downlinkMIMO capabilities in the supportedMIMO-TM3 (or 4)-CapabilityDL-r12 fieldfor the same band in the corresponding band combination.”, in theoperation example 1, if the user apparatus UE is configured with TM3/4up to Rank4 and “supportedMIMO-TM3 (or4)-CapabilityDL-r12” is includedin the UE-EUTRA-Capability, the user apparatus UE determines the maximumnumber of layers for determining the RI bit width based on the number ofPBCH antenna ports and the notified number of downlink MIMO layers.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show a change example of the non-patent document 2(3GPP TS 36.331) in the operation example 1. As shown in FIGS. 11A and11B, supportedMIMO-TM3/4-CapabilityDL-r12 indicating the maximum numberof downlink MIMO layers that the UE supports is added. As to addition ofsupportedMIMO-TM3/4-CapabilityDL-r12 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, sameapplies to operation examples 2-4 described below. Although the numberof MIMO layers is reported for each of TM3 and TM4 in the presentembodiment, one signalling including TM3 and TM4 may be used. In thiscase, it is assumed that the number of MIMO layers is the same betweenTM3 and TM4.

Operation Example 2

Next, the operation example 2 is described. In the operation example 1,a new TM is newly introduced as a parameter. On the other hand, in theoperation example 2, by adding rank4-enabled which is a new informationelement to the existing TM3 and TM4, the user apparatus UE is configuredwith operation of up to rank 4.

Operation of the user apparatus UE on determination of a soft buffersize is described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 12 in the casewhere the new information element is used.

In step S501, the user apparatus UE transmits, to the base station eNB,a UE capability including a UE category and the number of supporteddownlink MIMO layers. In step S502, the user apparatus UE receives a TM(included in RRCConnectionReconfiguration) from the base station eNB. Inthe operation example 2, the above-mentioned information element isadded to the TM. The base station eNB has determined the TM (+additionalinformation element) to be configured in the user apparatus UE based onthe UE category, the number of downlink MIMO layers and the likereceived in step S501.

In step S503, the user apparatus UE determines whether the UE categoryof the user apparatus UE itself is on or after UE category 6 and theuser apparatus UE has received TM3/4 and rank4-enabled.

When the determination result of step S503 is Yes, the user apparatus UEcalculates a soft buffer size (N_(IR)) by using the total number of softchannel bits (N_(soft)) corresponding to the UE category of the userapparatus UE (category on or after category 6) (step S504). When thedetermination result in step S503 is No, the user apparatus UEcalculates a soft buffer size according to an existing rule (non-patentdocument 4, and the like) (step S505).

The user apparatus UE executes HARQ control and the like in datareception using a soft buffer of the soft buffer size calculated in theabove-mentioned way.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a change example (excerpt) of a standardspecification in the operation example 2. FIG. 13 shows a change exampleof the non-patent document 4 (3GPP TS 36.212). Parts related to thechange are underlined. In FIG. 13, as described as “if the UE signalsue-Category-v1020, and is configured with transmission mode 3 ortransmission mode 4, and is configured by higher layers withrank4-enabled-r12 for the DL cell, N_(soft) is the total number of softchannel bits [4] according to the UE category indicated byue-Category-v1020 [6].”, in the operation example 2, if the userapparatus UE is configured with TM3/4 and rank4-enabled for a downlinkcell (serving cell), the user apparatus UE calculates a soft buffer sizeusing the total number of soft channel bits corresponding to the UEcategory indicated by ue-Category-v1020 (that is, a UE category on orafter UE category 6).

FIGS. 14A˜C and FIGS. 15A, B show a change example of the non-patentdocument 2 (3GPP TS 36.331) in the operation example 2. As shown inFIGS. 14A˜C and FIGS. 15A, B, the rank4-enabled indicating that up torank4 operation in TM3/4 is available is added.

As to determination of an RI bit width, in the operation example 2, asdescribed above, the rank4-enabled added to the existing TM3/4 isintroduced, and further, the number of MIMO layers supported for TM3/4up to rank4 is introduced in the UE capability, so that the userapparatus UE can properly notify of a value of an RI.

Operation on determination of an RI bit width of the user apparatus UEin the operation example 2 is described with reference to a flowchart ofFIG. 16.

Steps S601 and S602 are the same as steps S501 and S502 in FIG. 12.

In step S603, the user apparatus UE determines whether the userapparatus UE has notified of the number of downlink MIMO layers forTM3/4 up to rank4 by including it in the UE capability and the userapparatus UE has received (configured) TM3/4 and rank4-enabled.

When the determination result in step S603 is Yes, the user apparatus UEdetermines an RI bit width using, as the supported maximum number oflayers, the minimum value of the number of antenna ports of PBCH and thenotified number of MIMO layers (step S604). The method for determiningan RI bit width from the maximum number of layers is the same as themethod described in the operation example 1.

When the determination result in step S603 is No, the user apparatus UEdetermines the RI bit width according to an existing rule (non-patentdocument 4 and the like) (step S605).

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a change example (excerpt) of a standardspecification in the operation example 2. FIG. 17 shows a change exampleof the non-patent document 4 (3GPP TS 36.212). Parts related to thechange are underlined. In FIG. 17, as described as “If the UE isconfigured with transmission mode 3 or 4, and is configured by higherlayers with rank4-enabled-r12 for the DL cell, and the supportedMIMO-TM3(or 4)-CapabilityDL-r12 field is included in the UE-EUTRA-Capability,the maximum number is determined according to the minimum of the numberof PBCH antenna ports and the reported UE downlink MIMO capabilities inthe supportedMIMO-TM3 (or 4)-CapabilityDL-r12 field for the same band inthe corresponding band combination.”, in the operation example 2, if theuser apparatus UE is configured with TM3/4 and rank4-enabled and“supportedMIMO-TM3 (or4)-CapabilityDL-r12” is included in theUE-EUTRA-Capability, the user apparatus UE determines the maximum numberof layers for determining the RI bit width based on the number of PBCHantenna ports and the notified number of downlink MIMO layers.

Operation Example 3

Next, the Operation Example 3 is Described. In the operation example 3,the base station eNB transmits, to the user apparatus UE, for each CC(cell), an information element (maxLayers-RI-report) indicating themaximum number of layers used for determining an RI bit width in theuser apparatus UE. Also, the information element has a function similarto that of the rank4-enabled in the operation example 2. That is, inaddition to the existing TM3 and TM4, by notifying the user apparatus UEof maxLayers-RI-report, the user apparatus UE is configured withoperation of up to rank 4 of TM3/4.

Operation of the user apparatus UE on determination of a soft buffersize is described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 18 in the casewhere the new parameter is used.

In step S701, the user apparatus UE transmits, to the base station eNB,a UE capability including a UE category and the number of supporteddownlink MIMO layers. In step S702, the user apparatus UE receives a TM(included in RRCConnectionReconfiguration) from the base station eNB. Inthe operation example 3, in step S702, in addition to the TM,maxLayers-RI-report is transmitted from the base station eNB to the userapparatus UE. The base station eNB has determined the TM(+maxLayers-RI-report) to be configured in the user apparatus UE basedon the UE category, the number of downlink MIMO layers (for each CC(cell)) and the like received in step S701.

In step S703, the user apparatus UE determines whether the UE categoryof the user apparatus UE itself is on or after UE category 6 and theuser apparatus UE has received TM3/4 and maxLayers-RI-report.

When the determination result of step S703 is Yes, the user apparatus UEcalculates a soft buffer size (N_(IR)) by using the total number of softchannel bits (N_(soft)) corresponding to the UE category of the userapparatus UE (category on or after category 6) (step S704). When thedetermination result in step S703 is No, the user apparatus UEcalculates a soft buffer size according to an existing rule (non-patentdocument 4, and the like).

The user apparatus UE executes HARQ control and the like in datareception using a soft buffer of the soft buffer size calculated in theabove-mentioned way.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a change example (excerpt) of a standardspecification in the operation example 3. FIG. 19 shows a change exampleof the non-patent document 4 (3GPP TS 36.212). Parts related to thechange are underlined. In FIG. 19, as described as “if the UE signalsue-Category-v1020, and is configured with transmission mode 3 ortransmission mode 4, and is configured by higher layers withmaxLayers-RI-report-r12 for the DL cell, N_(soft) is the total number ofsoft channel bits [4] according to the UE category indicated byue-Category-v1020 [6].”, in the operation example 3, if the UE userapparatus UE is configured with TM3/4 and maxLayers-RI-report for adownlink cell (serving cell), the user apparatus UE calculates a softbuffer size using the total number of soft channel bits corresponding tothe UE category indicated by ue-Category-v1020 (that is, a UE categoryon or after UE category 6).

FIGS. 20A˜C show a change example of the non-patent document 2 (3GPP TS36.331) in the operation example 3. As shown in FIGS. 20A˜C, themaxLayers-RI-report indicating the number of MIMO layers used fordetermining an RI bit width is added. FIG. 20C shows an example ofaddition of signalling for enabling notification of maxLayers-RI-reportto each of a PCell and an SCell.

As to determination of an RI bit width, in the operation example 3, asdescribed above, the maxLayers-RI-report added to the existing TM3/4 isintroduced, and further, the number of MIMO layers supported for TM3/4up to rank4 is introduced in the UE capability, so that the userapparatus UE can properly notify of a value of an RI.

Operation on determination of an RI bit width of the user apparatus UEin the operation example 3 is described with reference to a flowchart ofFIG. 21.

Steps S801 and S802 are the same as steps S701 and S702 in FIG. 18.

In step S803, the user apparatus UE determines whether the userapparatus UE has notified of the number of downlink MIMO layers forTM3/4 up to rank4 as the UE capability and the user apparatus UE hasreceived (configured) TM3/4 and maxLayers-RI-report.

When the determination result in step S803 is Yes, the user apparatus UEdetermines an RI bit width using, as the supported maximum number oflayers, the minimum value of the number of antenna ports of PBCH and thevalue of maxLayers-RI-report (step S804). The method for determining anRI bit width from the maximum number of layers is the same as the methoddescribed in the operation example 1.

When the determination result in step S803 is No, the user apparatus UEdetermines the RI bit width according to an existing rule (non-patentdocument 4 and the like) (step S805).

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a change example (excerpt) of a standardspecification in the operation example 3. FIG. 22 shows a change exampleof the non-patent document 4 (3GPP TS 36.212). Parts related to thechange are underlined. In FIG. 22, as described as “If the UE isconfigured with transmission mode 3 or 4, and is configured by higherlayers with maxLayers-RI-report-r12 for the DL cell, and thesupportedMIMO-TM3 (or 4)-CapabilityDL-r12 field is included in theUE-EUTRA-Capability, the maximum number is determined according to theminimum of the number of PBCH antenna ports and the configuredmaxLayers-RI-report-r12 field for the same band in the correspondingband combination.”, in the operation example 3, if the user apparatus UEis configured with TM3/4 and maxLayers-RI-report and “supportedMIMO-TM3(or4)-CapabilityDL-r12” is included in the UE-EUTRA-Capability, the userapparatus UE determines the maximum number of layers for determining theRI bit width based on the number of PBCH antenna ports and the value ofthe maxLayers-RI-report.

Operation Example 4

Next, the operation example 4 is described. In the operation example 4,the base station eNB transmits, to the user apparatus UE, for each CC(cell), an information element (ue-RI-Bit-Width) indicating an RI bitwidth used in the user apparatus UE. Also, the information element has afunction similar to that of the rank4-enabled in the operation example2. That is, in addition to the existing TM3 and TM4, by notifying theuser apparatus UE of ue-RI-Bit-Width, the user apparatus UE isconfigured with operation of up to rank 4 of TM3/4.

Operation of the user apparatus UE on determination of a soft buffersize is described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 23 in the casewhere the new parameter is used.

In step S901, the user apparatus UE transmits, to the base station eNB,a UE capability including a UE category and the number of supporteddownlink MIMO layers. In step S902, the user apparatus UE receives a TM(included in RRCConnectionReconfiguration) from the base station eNB. Inthe operation example 4, in step S902, in addition to the TM,ue-RI-Bit-Width is transmitted from the base station eNB to the userapparatus UE. The base station eNB has determined, for each CC (cell),the TM (+ue-RI-Bit-Width) to be configured in the user apparatus UEbased on the UE category, the number of downlink MIMO layers and thelike received in step S901.

In step S903, the user apparatus UE determines whether the UE categoryof the user apparatus UE itself is on or after UE category 6 and theuser apparatus UE has received TM3/4 and ue-RI-Bit-Width.

When the determination result of step S903 is Yes, the user apparatus UEcalculates a soft buffer size (N_(IR)) by using the total number of softchannel bits (N_(soft)) corresponding to the UE category of the userapparatus UE (category on or after category 6) (step S904). When thedetermination result in step S903 is No, the user apparatus UEcalculates a soft buffer size according to an existing rule (non-patentdocument 4, and the like) (step S905).

The user apparatus UE executes HARQ control and the like in datareception using a soft buffer of the soft buffer size calculated in theabove-mentioned way.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a change example (excerpt) of a standardspecification in the operation example 4. FIG. 24 shows a change exampleof the non-patent document 4 (3GPP TS 36.212). Parts related to thechange are underlined. In FIG. 24, as described as “if the UE signalsue-Category-v1020, and is configured with transmission mode 3 ortransmission mode 4, and is configured by higher layers withue-RI-Bit-Width-r12 for the DL cell, N_(soft) is the total number ofsoft channel bits [4] according to the UE category indicated byue-Category-v1020 [6].”, in the operation example 4, if the UE userapparatus UE is configured with TM3/4 and ue-RI-Bit-Width for a downlinkcell (serving cell), the user apparatus UE calculates a soft buffer sizeusing the total number of soft channel bits corresponding to the UEcategory indicated by ue-Category-v1020 (that is, a UE category on orafter UE category 6).

FIGS. 25A-C show a change example of the non-patent document 2 (3GPP TS36.331) in the operation example 4. As shown in FIGS. 25A-C, theue-RI-Bit-Width indicating the RI bit width is added. FIG. 25C shows anexample of addition of signalling for enabling notification ofue-RI-Bit-Width to each of a PCell and an SCell.

As to determination of an RI bit width, in the operation example 4, asdescribed above, the ue-RI-Bit-Width added to the existing TM3/4 isintroduced, and further, the number of MIMO layers supported for TM3/4up to rank4 is introduced in the UE capability, so that the userapparatus UE can properly notify of a value of an RI.

Operation on determination of an RI bit width of the user apparatus UEin the operation example 4 is described with reference to a flowchart ofFIG. 26.

Steps S1001 and S1002 are the same as steps S901 and S902 in FIG. 23.

In step S1003, the user apparatus UE determines whether the userapparatus UE has notified of the number of downlink MIMO layers forTM3/4 up to rank4 as the UE capability and the user apparatus UE hasreceived (configured) TM3/4 and ue-RI-Bit-Width.

When the determination result in step S1003 is Yes, the user apparatusUE determines the value of ue-RI-Bit-Width as an RI bit width (stepS1004).

When the determination result in step S1003 is No, the user apparatus UEdetermines the RI bit width according to an existing rule (non-patentdocument 4 and the like) (step S1005).

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a change example (excerpt) of a standardspecification in the operation example 4. FIG. 27 shows a change exampleof the non-patent document 4 (3GPP TS 36.212). Parts related to thechange are underlined. In FIG. 27, as described as “If the UE isconfigured with transmission mode 3 or 4, and is configured by higherlayers with ue-RI-Bit-Width-r12 for the DL cell, and thesupportedMIMO-TM3 (or 4)-CapabilityDL-r12 field is included in theUE-EUTRA-Capability, the RI bit width is determined according to theue-RI-Bit-Width-r12 value for the DL cell signalled to the UE.”, in theoperation example 4, if the user apparatus UE is configured with TM3/4and ue-RI-Bit-Width and “supportedMIMO-TM3 (or4)-CapabilityDL-r12” isincluded in the UE-EUTRA-Capability, the user apparatus UE determinesthe RI bit width according to ue-RI-Bit-Width.

(Apparatus Configuration Example)

Next, main configurations of the user apparatus UE and the base stationeNB that can execute operation (including the operation example 1, theoperation example 2, the operation example 3, and the operation example4) are described.

First, FIG. 28 shows a block diagram of the user apparatus UE accordingto the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 28, the user apparatus UEincludes an UL signal transmission unit 101, a DL signal reception unit102, an RRC management unit 103, a soft buffer size determination unit104, and an RI bit width determination unit 105. FIG. 28 only showsfunctional units especially related to the embodiment of the presentinvention in the user apparatus UE, and the user apparatus UE alsoincludes at least functions, not shown in the figure, for performingoperation complying with LTE. Also, the configuration shown in FIG. 28is merely an example. Any functional segmentations and any names offunctional units can be used as long as the user apparatus UE canexecute processing described in the present embodiment. Also, the userapparatus UE may include functions for performing all operations of theoperation examples 1, 2, 3 and 4, or may include functions forperforming any one operation of the operation examples 1, 2, 3 and 4.Also, the user apparatus UE may include functions for performingoperations of a plurality (two or three) of the operation examples 1, 2,3 and 4. Also, the user apparatus UE may include both of or one of thefunction for determining a soft buffer size according to the method ofthe present embodiment and the function for determining an RI bit widthaccording to the method of the present embodiment. In the case where thefunction for determining the soft buffer size according to the methoddescribed in the present embodiment is provided, the RI bit width isproperly determined, for example, such that an RI is reported with asufficient bit width, and the like.

The UL signal transmission unit 101 includes functions configured togenerate various signals of physical layer from an upper layer signal tobe transmitted from the user apparatus UE, and transmit the signals byradio. The DL signal reception unit 102 includes functions configured toreceive various signals from the base station eNB by radio and obtain asignal of an upper layer from the received physical layer signals. Eachof the UL signal transmission unit 101 and the DL signal reception unit102 includes a function configured to execute CA in which communicationis performed by bundling a plurality of CCs. Also, the UL signalreception unit 102 includes a function configured to determine a CSIsuch as an RI by performing measurement of a reference signal, and theUL signal transmission unit 101 includes a function configured totransmit the CSI such as the RI. Also, the DL signal reception unit 102and the UL signal transmission unit 101 include functions configured toexecute HARQ control on data reception using a soft buffer of the sizedetermined by the soft buffer size determination unit 104.

It is assumed that each of the UL signal transmission unit 101 and theDL signal reception unit 102 includes a packet buffer, and performsprocessing of the layer 1 (PHY) and the layer 2 (MAC, RLC, PDCP).However, it is not limited to this.

The RRC management unit 103 includes functions configured to performtransmission and reception of an RRC message with the base station eNBvia the UL signal transmission unit 101/DL signal reception unit 102,and to perform processing of setting/change/management of CAinformation, configuration change and the like. Also, the RRC managementunit 103 holds information of capability of the user apparatus UE, andgenerates an RRC message for notification of capability information, andtransmits it to the base station eNB via the UL signal transmission unit101.

The soft buffer size determination unit 104 determines a soft buffersize. For example, when executing the operation example 1, the softbuffer size determination unit 104 determines whether the UE category ofthe user apparatus UE is a UE category on or after UE category 6 andtm3/4-rank4-v12xy is received or not, then, if the determination resultis Yes, calculates a soft buffer size (N_(IR)) by using the total numberof soft channel bits (N_(soft)) corresponding to the UE category(category on or after category 6). The user apparatus includes storagemeans such as a memory, and the storage means stores a table (includingthe total number of soft channel bits for each UE category) like oneshown in FIG. 2. The soft buffer size determination unit 104 obtains thetotal number of soft channel bits from the table.

When executing the operation example 2, the soft buffer sizedetermination unit 104 determines whether the UE category of the userapparatus UE is a UE category on or after UE category 6 and TM3/4 andrank4-enabled are received or not, then, if the determination result isYes, calculates a soft buffer size (N_(IR)) by using the total number ofsoft channel bits (N_(soft)) corresponding to the UE category (categoryon or after category 6).

When executing the operation example 3, the soft buffer sizedetermination unit 104 determines whether the UE category of the userapparatus UE is a UE category on or after UE category 6 and TM3/4 andmaxLayers-RI-report are received or not, then, if the determinationresult is Yes, calculates a soft buffer size (N_(IR)) by using the totalnumber of soft channel bits (N_(soft)) corresponding to the UE category(category on or after category 6).

When executing the operation example 4, the soft buffer sizedetermination unit 104 determines whether the UE category of the userapparatus UE is a UE category on or after UE category 6 and TM3/4 andue-RI-Bit-Width are received or not, then, if the determination resultis Yes, calculates a soft buffer size (N_(IR)) by using the total numberof soft channel bits (N_(soft)) corresponding to the UE category(category on or after category 6).

The RI bit width determination unit 105 calculates an RI bit width foreach CC (cell). For example, in the case where the operation example 1is executed, the RI bit width determination unit 105 determines whetherthe number of downlink MIMO layers for TM3/4 up to rank4 is notified asthe UE capability and tm3/4-rank4-v12xy is received, then, if thedetermination result is Yes, determines the RI bit width by using, asthe maximum number of layers of the corresponding CC (cell), the minimumvalue of the number of antenna ports of PBCH and the notified number ofMIMO layers.

In the case where the operation example 2 is executed, the RI bit widthdetermination unit 105 determines whether the number of downlink MIMOlayers for TM3/4 up to rank4 is notified as the UE capability and TM3/4and rank4-enabled are received, then, if the determination result isYes, determines the RI bit width by using, as the maximum number oflayers of the corresponding CC (cell), the minimum value of the numberof antenna ports of PBCH and the notified number of MIMO layers.

In the case where the operation example 3 is executed, the RI bit widthdetermination unit 105 determines whether the number of downlink MIMOlayers for TM3/4 up to rank4 is notified as the UE capability, and TM3/4and maxLayers-RI-report are received, then, if the determination resultis Yes, determines the RI bit width by using, as the maximum number oflayers of the corresponding CC (cell), the minimum value of the numberof antenna ports of PBCH and the value of maxLayers-RI-report.

In the case where the operation example 4 is executed, the RI bit widthdetermination unit 105 determines whether the number of downlink MIMOlayers for TM3/4 up to rank4 is notified as the UE capability, and TM3/4and ue-RI-Bit-Width are received, then, if the determination result isYes, determines the value of ue-RI-Bit-Width as the RI bit width thecorresponding CC (cell).

FIG. 29 shows a block diagram of the base station eNB according to thepresent embodiment. As shown in FIG. 29, the base station eNB includes aDL signal transmission unit 201, an UL signal reception unit 202, an RRCmanagement unit 203, and a scheduling unit 204. FIG. 29 only showsfunctional units especially related to the embodiment of the presentinvention in the base station eNB, and the base station eNB alsoincludes at least functions, not shown in the figure, for performingoperation complying with LTE. Also, the configuration shown in FIG. 29is merely an example. Any functional segmentations and any names offunctional units can be used as long as the base station eNB can executeoperation described in the present embodiment. The base station eNB maybe a single base station eNB, and also, the base station eNB may becomeeither one of an MeNB and an SeNB by configuration when performing DC.Also, the base station eNB may include functions for performing alloperations of the operation examples 1, 2, 3 and 4, or may includefunctions for performing any one operation of the operation examples 1,2, 3 and 4. Also, the base station eNB may include functions forperforming operations of a plurality (two or three) of the operationexamples 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The DL signal transmission unit 201 includes functions configured togenerate various signals of physical layer from an upper layer signal tobe transmitted from the base station eNB, and transmit the signals byradio. The UL signal reception unit 202 includes functions configured toreceive various signals from each UE by radio and obtain a signal of anupper layer from the received physical layer signals. Each of the DLsignal transmission unit 201 and the UL signal reception unit 202includes a function configured to execute CA in which communication isperformed by bundling a plurality of CCs. Also, each of the DL signaltransmission unit 201 and the UL signal reception unit 202 may include aradio communication unit, such as an RRE, that is remotely placed fromthe main body (control unit) of the base station eNB.

It is assumed that each of the DL signal transmission unit 201 and theUL signal reception unit 202 includes a packet buffer, and performsprocessing of the layer 1 (PHY) and the layer 2 (MAC, RLC, PDCP).However, it is not limited to this.

The RRC management unit 203 includes functions configured to performtransmission and reception of an RRC message with the user apparatus UEvia the DL signal transmission unit 201/UL signal reception unit 202,and to perform processing of setting/change/management of CA,configuration change and the like. Also, the RRC management unit 203receives capability information from the user apparatus UE via the ULsignal reception unit 202, and holds the capability information, so thatthe RRC management unit 203 can perform configuration and the like of CAand TM for the user apparatus UE. When the operation example 1 isexecuted, the TM includes the tm3-rank4-v12xy and the tm4-rank4-v12xy.Also, when the operation example 2 is executed, the RRC management unit203 can notify of the rank4-enabled by adding it to TM3/4.

Also, when the operation example 3 is executed, the RRC management unit203 determines the value of maxLayers-RI-report based on the number ofdownlink MIMO layers and the like that is received from the userapparatus UE as the UE capability, and notifies the user apparatus UE ofthe value by setting it to the maxLayers-RI-report. As an example, whenthe number of downlink MIMO layers notified from the user apparatus fora CC (cell) is 4, the RRC management unit 203 determines the value ofthe maxLayers-RI-report as 4. Also, for example, when there is alimitation for the total number of downlink MIMO layers in CA of aplurality of CCs, even when the number of downlink MIMO layers for a CCis 4, there is a case where the RRC management unit 203 determines thevalue of the maxLayers-RI-report as 2.

Also, when the operation example 4 is executed, the RRC management unit203 determines the value of ue-RI-Bit-Width based on the number ofdownlink MIMO layers that is received from the user apparatus UE as theUE capability and the number of PBCH antenna ports used for downlinkPBCH transmission by the base station eNB and the like, and notifies theuser apparatus UE of the value by setting it to the ue-RI-Bit-Width. Asan example, when the number of downlink MIMO layers notified from theuser apparatus for a CC (cell) is 4 and the number of PBCH antenna portsis 4, the RRC management unit 203 determines the value of theue-RI-Bit-Width as 2.

The scheduling unit 204 includes functions and the like configured toperform scheduling for each cell for the user apparatus UE, to generateassignment information of PDCCH, and to instruct the DL signaltransmission unit 201 to transmit the PDCCH including the assignmentinformation.

<Hardware Configuration>

The block diagrams (FIG. 28 and FIG. 29) used for the description of theabove-described embodiment illustrates blocks in units of functions.These functional blocks (components) are implemented by any combinationsof hardware and/or software. Further, a method for implementing eachfunctional block is not particularly limited. Namely, each functionalblock may be implemented by a single device that is physically and/orlogically combined; or may be implemented by a plurality of devices bydirectly and/or indirectly (e.g., wired and/or wireless) connecting thetwo or more devices that are physically and/or logically separated.

For example, the base station eNB and the user apparatus UE according tothe embodiment of the present invention may function as computers forexecuting the process of the radio communication method according to thepresent invention. FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of thehardware configurations of the base station eNB and the user apparatusUE according to the embodiment. Each of the above-described base stationeNB and the user apparatus UE may be physically configured as a computerdevice including a processor 1001: a memory 1002: a storage 1003: acommunication device 1004; an input device 1005; an output device 1006;a bus 1007, and so forth.

Note that, in the following description, the wording “device” may bereplaced with a circuit, a device, a unit, and so forth. The hardwareconfigurations of the base station eNB and the user apparatus UE may bearranged to include one or more of the devices illustrated in thefigure; or may be arranged not to include a part of the devices.

Each function of the base station eNB and the user apparatus UE may beimplemented by loading predetermined software (a program) onto hardware,such as a processor 1001 and a memory 1002, so that the processor 1001performs operation to control communication by the communication device1004, and reading and/or writing data in the memory 1002 and the storage1003.

The processor 1001 controls the entire computer, for example, byoperating an operating system. The processor 1001 may be formed of acentral processing unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) including aninterface with peripheral devices; a controller; a processor, aresister, and so forth. For example, the UL signal transmission unit101, the DL signal reception unit 102, the RRC management unit 103, thesoft buffer size determination unit 104, and the RI bit widthdetermination unit 105 of the user apparatus UE may be implemented bythe processor 1001; and the DL signal transmission unit 201, the ULsignal reception unit 202, the RRC management unit 203, and thescheduling unit 204 of the base station eNB may be implemented by theprocessor 1001.

Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads out a program (a program code), asoftware module, or data from the storage 1003 and/or the communicationdevice 1004 onto the memory 1002; and performs various types ofprocesses according to these. As the program, a program is used which isfor causing the computer to execute at least a part of the operationdescribed in the above-described embodiment. For example, the UL signaltransmission unit 101, the DL signal reception unit 102, the RRCmanagement unit 103, the soft buffer size determination unit 104, andthe RI bit width determination unit 105 of the user apparatus UE may beimplemented by a control program that is stored in the memory 1002 andoperated by the processor 1001 and the other functional blocks may beimplemented in a similar manner; and the DL signal transmission unit201, the UL signal reception unit 202, the RRC management unit 203, andthe scheduling unit 204 of the base station eNB may be implemented by acontrol program that is stored in the memory 1002 and operated by theprocessor 1001; and the other functional blocks may be implemented in asimilar manner. It is described that the above-described various typesof processes are executed by the single processor 1001; however, thesecan be simultaneously or sequentially executed by two or more processors1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. Here,the program may be transmitted from a network via a telecommunicationline.

The memory 1002 is a computer readable recording medium; and, forexample, it can be formed of at least one of a ROM (Read Only Memory),an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically ErasableProgrammable ROM), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and so forth. Thememory 1002 may be referred to as a resister, a cache, a main memory (amain storage device), and so forth. The memory 1002 can store a program(a program code), a software module, and so forth that can be executedfor implementing the communication method according to the embodiment ofthe present invention.

The storage 1003 is a computer readable recording medium; and, forexample, it can be formed of at least one of an optical disk, such as aCD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM); a hard disk drive; a flexible disk; amagneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, aBlu-ray (registered trademark) disk); a smart card; a flash memory(e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive); a Floppy (registered trademark)disk; a magnetic strip, and so forth. The storage 1003 may be referredto as an auxiliary storage device. The above-described storage mediummay be, for example, a database including the memory 1002 and/or thestorage 1003; a server; or any other suitable medium.

The communication device 1004 is hardware (a transceiver device) forexecuting communication between computers via a wired and/or wirelessnetwork; and, for example, it can be referred to as a network device, anetwork controller, a network card, a communication module, and soforth. For example, the UL signal transmission unit 101 and the DLsignal reception unit 102 of the user apparatus UE may be implemented bythe communication device 1004; and the DL signal transmission unit 201and the UL signal reception unit 202 of the base station eNB may beimplemented by the communication device 1004.

The input device 1005 is an input device that receives an input fromoutside (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, asensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device forimplementing output toward outside (e.g., a display, a speaker, a LEDlamp, etc.). Note that the input device 1005 and the output device 1006may have an integrated configuration (e.g., a touch panel).

Further, the devices, such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002,are connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007may be formed of a single bus; or may be formed of buses which aredifferent among devices.

Further, each of the base station eNB and the user apparatus UE may bearranged to include hardware, such as a microprocessor, a digital signalprocessor (DSP: Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and a FPGA(Field Programmable Gate Array); and a part of or all of the functionalblocks may be implemented by the hardware. For example, the processor1001 may be implemented by at least one of these hardware components.

Summary of Embodiment

According to the present embodiment, there is provided a user apparatusconfigured to perform communication with a base station in a mobilecommunication system that supports downlink spatial multiplexing,including:

transmission means configured to transmit category information of theuser apparatus to the base station;

reception means configured to receive a parameter indicating atransmission mode from the base station;

soft buffer size determination means configured, if the categoryinformation is a value equal to or greater than a predetermined valueand if the parameter is a predetermined parameter corresponding to thedownlink spatial multiplexing, to determine a soft buffer sizecorresponding to the category information as a soft buffer size used fordownlink data reception processing in the user apparatus.

According to the above configuration, the user apparatus can properlydetermine a soft buffer size.

According to the present embodiment, there is provided a user apparatusconfigured to perform communication with a base station in a mobilecommunication system that supports downlink spatial multiplexing,including:

transmission means configured to transmit category information of theuser apparatus to the base station;

reception means configured to receive configuration information from thebase station;

soft buffer size determination means configured, if the categoryinformation is a value equal to or greater than a predetermined valueand if a parameter indicating a transmission mode corresponding to thedownlink spatial multiplexing and predetermined additional informationare received as the configuration information, to determine a softbuffer size corresponding to the category information as a soft buffersize used for downlink data reception processing in the user apparatus.

According to the above configuration, the user apparatus can properlydetermine a soft buffer size.

The predetermined additional information is information indicating thatthe user apparatus can perform spatial multiplexing operation up to apredetermined number of layers. According to this configuration, a softbuffer size can be properly determined by adding information to aparameter of an existing transmission mode.

The predetermined additional information may be, for example, themaximum number of layers used for determining a bit width fortransmitting uplink control information. According to thisconfiguration, a soft buffer size can be properly determined by addinginformation to a parameter of an existing transmission mode. Also, themaximum number of layers can be used for determining an uplink controlinformation bit width.

The predetermined additional information may be a bit width fortransmitting uplink control information. According to thisconfiguration, a soft buffer size can be properly determined by addinginformation to a parameter of an existing transmission mode. Also,predetermined additional information can be used for determining anuplink control information bit width.

The soft buffer size determination means determines the soft buffer sizeby using the total number of soft channel bits corresponding to thecategory information, for example. According to this configuration, asoft buffer size can be properly determined.

According to the present embodiment, there is provided a user apparatusconfigured to perform communication with a base station in a mobilecommunication system that supports downlink spatial multiplexing,including:

transmission means configured to transmit capability information of theuser apparatus to the base station;

reception means configured to receive a parameter indicating atransmission mode from the base station;

bit width determination means configured, if the parameter is apredetermined parameter corresponding to the downlink spatialmultiplexing and if the capability information includes the number ofMIMO layers for the transmission mode, to determine a bit width fortransmitting uplink control information based on the number of MIMOlayers.

According to the above configuration, the user apparatus can properlydetermine a bit width of uplink control information.

According to the present embodiment, there is provided a user apparatusconfigured to perform communication with a base station in a mobilecommunication system that supports downlink spatial multiplexing,including:

transmission means configured to transmit capability information of theuser apparatus to the base station;

reception means configured to receive configuration information from thebase station;

bit width determination means configured, if a parameter indicating atransmission mode corresponding to the downlink spatial multiplexing andpredetermined additional information are received as the configurationinformation and if the capability information includes the number ofMIMO layers for the transmission mode, to determine a bit width fortransmitting uplink control information based on the number of MIMOlayers.

According to the above configuration, the user apparatus can properlydetermine a bit width of uplink control information.

The predetermined additional information is, for example, informationindicating that the user apparatus can perform spatial multiplexingoperation up to a predetermined number of layers. According to thisconfiguration, a bit width of uplink control information can be properlydetermined by adding information to a parameter of an existingtransmission mode.

According to the present embodiment, there is provided a user apparatusconfigured to perform communication with a base station in a mobilecommunication system that supports downlink spatial multiplexing,including:

transmission means configured to transmit capability information of theuser apparatus to the base station;

reception means configured to receive configuration information from thebase station;

bit width determination means configured, if a parameter indicating atransmission mode corresponding to the downlink spatial multiplexing andpredetermined additional information are received as the configurationinformation and if the capability information includes the number ofMIMO layers for the transmission mode, to determine a bit width fortransmitting uplink control information based on the predeterminedadditional information.

According to the present embodiment, there is provided a user apparatusconfigured to perform communication with a base station in a mobilecommunication system that supports downlink spatial multiplexing,including:

transmission means configured to transmit capability information of theuser apparatus to the base station;

reception means configured to receive configuration information from thebase station;

bit width determination means configured, if a parameter indicating atransmission mode corresponding to the downlink spatial multiplexing andpredetermined additional information are received as the configurationinformation, to determine a bit width of a rank indicator based on thepredetermined additional information.

According to the above configuration, the user apparatus can properlydetermine a bit width of uplink control information.

The predetermined additional information is, for example, the maximumnumber of layers transmitted from the base station as information to beused for determining a bit width for transmitting the uplink controlinformation. According to this configuration, the user apparatus canproperly determine a bit width of uplink control information based oninformation instructed from the base station.

The predetermined additional information may be a bit width fortransmitting the uplink control information. According to thisconfiguration, the user apparatus can properly determine a bit width ofuplink control information by directly using information instructed fromthe base station.

“Means” in the above-mentioned configuration of each apparatus may bereplaced with “unit”, “circuit”, “device” or the like.

The user apparatus UE described in the present embodiment may include aCPU and a memory, and may be realized by executing a program by the CPU(processor), or may be realized by hardware such as hardware circuitsincluding logics of processing described in the embodiment, or may beconfigured by coexistence of a program and hardware.

The base station eNB described in the present embodiment may include aCPU and a memory, and may be realized by executing a program by the CPU(processor), or may be realized by hardware such as hardware circuitsincluding logics of processing described in the embodiment, or may beconfigured by coexistence of a program and hardware.

In the above, the embodiment of the present invention has beenexplained. However, the disclosed invention is not limited to theembodiment. Those skilled in the art will conceive of various modifiedexamples, corrected examples, alternative examples, substitutedexamples, and the like. While specific numerical value examples are usedto facilitate understanding of the present invention, such numericalvalues are merely examples, and any appropriate value may be used unlessspecified otherwise. Classification into each item in the description isnot essential in the present invention, and features described in two ormore items may be combined and used as necessary. Subject matterdescribed in an item may be applied to subject matter described inanother item (provided that they do not contradict).

It is not always true that the boundaries of the functional units or theprocessing units in the functional block diagram correspond toboundaries of physical components. The operations by the pluralfunctional units may be physically performed by a single component.Alternatively, the operations by the single functional unit may bephysically performed by plural components.

For convenience of explanation, the user apparatus and the base stationhave been explained by using functional block diagrams. However, such anapparatus may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combinationthereof.

The software that operates by a processor of the user apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention and the softwarethat operates by a processor of the base station may be stored in anyproper storage medium such as a Random Access Memory (RAM), a flashmemory, a Read Only Memory (ROM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a register, ahard disk (HDD), a removable disk, a CD-ROM, a database, a server andthe like.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodimentand is intended to include various variations, modifications,alterations, substitutions and so on without departing from the spiritof the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   UE user apparatus-   eNB base station-   101 DL signal reception unit-   102 UL signal transmission unit-   103 RRC management unit-   104 soft buffer size determination unit-   105 RI bit width determination unit-   201 DL signal transmission unit-   202 UL signal reception unit-   203 RRC management unit-   204 scheduling unit-   1001 processor-   1002 memory-   1003 storage-   1004 communication device-   1005 input device-   1006 output device

1. A user apparatus comprising: a transmitter that transmits capabilityinformation of the user apparatus to a base station; a receiver thatreceives configuration information from the base station, wherein theconfiguration information comprises a parameter indicating atransmission mode and a maximum number of Multiple-Input Multiple-Output(MIMO) layers; and a processor that determines a bit width of a rankindicator based on the maximum number of MIMO layers.
 2. An uplinkcontrol information bit width determination method executed by a userapparatus configured to perform communication with a base station in amobile communication system, comprising: transmitting capabilityinformation of the user apparatus to the base station; and receivingconfiguration information from the base station, wherein theconfiguration information comprises a parameter indicating atransmission mode and a maximum number of Multiple-Input Multiple-Output(MIMO) layers; and determining a bit width of a rank indicator based onthe maximum number of MIMO layers.